Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015, OB, 51.5%, B: 2015. Price :
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smoky, peaty, on peat smoke, seaweeds, Turkish delights, grapefruits, citrus, and a touch of liquorice. Not as peaty or tarry as the other standard Lahproaig.
Taste: Smooth, malty, dusty, peaty, very smoky, on grapefruit, citrus and maritime flavours, as well as light medicinal flavours. Slight soft and with a touch of ground coffee. The finis is medium to long, smoky, peaty, dry, tarry to very tarry, with some soot, on lemon sorbet, vanilla, liquorice, tar, ashes, charcoal, and some toasted or charred wood.
Impression: Made exclusively from malt prepared on the floor maltings at the distillery, the resulting spirit is very smoky, with quite some citrus and suprisingly tarry on the finish. Less peaty, tarry and maritime than the « standard » Laphroaig. The comparison with other Laphroaig is interesting and the result is very good !
Rating: 16/20 FP:A7

21 Jun

Octomore X4 Discovery Feis Ile 2014, OB, 69%, B:2014, 1695 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Young, very smooth, malty, sprity, on vanilla, with some liquorice, elderberry syrup, tar and peat smoke. The peat smoke is discreet.
Taste: Very smooth, young, hot, spirity, slightly tarry, peaty, and dry, with some bacon, pears and toasted bread. The finish is medium, very smooth, hot, spirity, dry, slightly malty and tarry, on apples, pears, liquorice and peat smoke. With a dry, tarry and peaty retrol-olfaction.
Impression: The combination of quadruple distillation with heavily peated malt is rather unexpected, since each distillation removes the peaty flavours. Therefore, it is not surprising that the peaty flavours are rather discreet. The whisky is rather young and smooth, with some rather dry flavours on the finish. A whisky for fun ?
Rating: 08/20 FP:A5

Lagavulin 1991 Feis Ile 2015, 24 YO, OB, 59.9%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Mellow, smooth, peaty, smoky to very smoky, on complex maritime flavours, some bacon, iodine, camphor, sultanas and dried fruits. Rather subtle.
Taste: Mellow, smooth, peaty, salty, smoky, on pears, lots of wood smoke, with some bacon, apples, lime, sea salt, seaweed and iodine. The finish is long, smoky to very smoky, slightly winey and woody, on bacon, vanilla, soot, tar, charred wood, on saw dust, wood spices, and some lemon.
Impression: A rather smoky Lagavulin, with lots of wood smoke as well as some woody notes and a slight harshness. Complex and good, but the influence of wood is well present. Although it was a triple matured whisky, the moscatel influence is slightly more pronouced than in the Caol Ila version.
Rating: 15/20 FP:C5

18 Jun

Caol Ila 1998 Feis Ile 2015, OB, 57.3%, B:2015, 1500 bottles. Price :
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty and tarry, maritime, green, rather clean and sharp, on hemp rope, seaweeds, tar, some BBQ and bacon.
Taste: Very peaty and tarry, ashy, very smoky, maritime, slightly salty, on hemp rope, ashes, liquorice root and soot, as well as slight syrupy and winey notes. The finish is long, very peaty, maritime, rather clean, spicy and smooth, on peat smoke, seaweeds, hemp rope and some slighty winey flavours.
Impression: A very good, intense and very peaty Caol Ila. With a typical Caol Ila flavour, as well as slight syrupy and winey not from the partial maturation in ex- Moscatel cask. I enjoyed this one very much.
Rating: 17/20 FP:C8

Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2012, OB, 43%. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, fruity, slightly smoky and floral, with some peach, apricots, tangerine, some leather, cocoa and light tannins.
Taste: Very smooth, rich and fruity, with some apricots, peach, tangerine, leather, spices, cinnamon, a touch of rubber, some cocoa, sandalwoods and beeswax. The finish is medium, fruity, floral, astringent, rather bitter and fruity, on leather, orange peel, some cocoa, coffee beans, and tangerine.
Impression: The nose is very pleasant, sweet, rich, juicy and fruity, with a good and rich sherry influence on the palate, but becoming dry, bitter and astringent on the finish, too much to my liking.
Rating: 14/20 FP:I1

The Yamazaki 25 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Dark amber
Nose : Thick, resinuous, slightly floral and fragrant, on leather, tannins, plums, dried fruits, some berries, cocoa, exotic fruits, sandalwood and beeswax. Excellent.
Taste : Woody, rather tannic and astringent, on a mixture of red, black and slightly sour berries, charred wood, apricots, tangerine, orange, peach and melon, with some beeswax, wood polish and exotic wood. The finish is medium to long, floral,fragrant, rather woody, tannic and astringent, on sour berries, leather, cocoa, dark chocolate, some ripe fruits, plums, sultanas, strawberries and some honey.
Impression : A very good whisky, with a strong influence of european sherry casks of high quality, with more depth and complexity than the 18 YO. However, it is rather tannic and astringent. I prefer the balance of the 18 YO. A 21 YO sherry Yamazaki would certainly be interesting to taste.
Rating :16/20 FP:I1

The Yamazaki 18 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Fresh, smooth, intense, rich, fragrant, floral, fruity, on physalis, sandalwood, juicy oak, orange peel, tangerine, orchards fruits and soft spices. Complex and well balanced. The nose is excellent, with a noticeable mizunara influence.
Taste : Smooth, spicy, rich, rather fragrant and resinous, on exotic and sandalwood, some tannins, leather, orange peel, berries, sultanas, dark chocolate, green apples, humus. The finish is medium to long, smooth, slighly spicy, on apricots, raspberry and strawberry jam, as well as some cinnamon, cocoa, beeswax and some fragrant floral notes. Diluted the resinous aromas are getting very strong and with some eucalyptus.
Impression : A very complex, well balanced and rich whisky, with a very pleasant smoothness. My favourite Yamazaki of the range. In terms of scoring, I was very surprised by my difference in score between the Yamazaki 18 YO I tasted almost 8 years and today. Went something wrong when I tasted earlier or was the quality lower then ? I do not know, but it is always to taste back some whiskies after some time. Our palate and preferences change over time.
Rating : 17/20 FP:E1

The Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, floral, on honey, dried berries and fruits, with some soft spices and vanilla and some oaky notes. Some influence of Mizunara cask can be perceived. Rather complex.
Taste : Sweet, slightly malty and oaky, rather juicy and fragrant, with some coconut, berries, orchards fruits, soft spices and starch. The finish is medium, sweet, floral, slightly malty and grassy, on honey, some starch, orchards fruits and some slightly sour berries, as well as some sandalwood.
Impression : A good, smooth, fresh and well done Yamazaki, with a good body.
Rating : 12/20 FP:B1

28 May

Glen Garioch 1989, 24 YO, The Perfect Dram, 51.4%, B:2014, 220 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, slightly smoky, austere and mineral, with some fudge, paraffin, and slight notes of vanilla, eucalyptus and humus.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, slightly smoky and waxy, on ginger, some fruits from the orchards, toffee, vanilla, humus and damp wood, as well as some austere notes and honey. The finish is medium, slightly smoky, austere and bitter, on honey, menthol, eucalyptus, slight mineral and woody notes, a few drops of green apples and some mushrooms.
Impression: A good Glen Garioch, with a mixture of mineral, austere and humic flavours, but with the wood starting to show off.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Glen Garioch 1975 White Label, Duthie for Samaroli, 57%, B: 1988, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, clean, intense and slightly aromatic, with a few honey drops. Lighter, cleaner and less aromatic than the 30th Anniversary bottling.
Taste: Dry, intense, aromatic, slightly mineral, floral, fragrant, with some honey, a light sweetness and a slight bitterness. The finish is medium to long, peaty, dry, fragrant, bitter, very aromatic, with some gentian and vanilla.
Impression: A clean, peaty, rather light and very aromatic Glen Garioch. Note: There are two versions with the same label, but one was bottled at 50% and another at 57%.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A5

23 May

Laphroaig 1966, 21 YO, Intertrade, 48.5%, 168 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, on dry sherry and leather, with some treacle, exotic fruits, grapefruit, ashes, disinfectant and bandages.
Taste: Very fruity, rather sweet, peaty, smoky, well balanced and smooth, slightly salty and maritime, on tropical fruits, mango, papaya, passion fruits, pink grapefruit, tangerine and some pipe tobacco. The finish is long, maritime, salty, peaty, tarry, very smoky, with light medicinal notes, some walnuts and lots of tropical fruits. Diluted, it becomes more salty, peppery, drier, slightly astringent and tannic, but with some extra sweet fruity flavours as well.
Impression: A rather dry and maritime Laphroaig with the sherry influence providing probably the sweet fruity influence with passion fruits. Very good, but the woody, dry and astringent notes are slightly too present to my liking in the finish.
Rating: 17/20 FP:G5

Glen Garioch Early Flying 1989, 25 YO, The Whisky Agency, 50.3%, B : 2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Rather austere and mineral, slightly peaty and smoky, some light floral notes and a twist of citrus and melon.
Taste : Dry, oaky to very oaky, floral, fragrant, peaty, smoky, austere and with some vanilla. The finish is medium, floral, dry, fragrant, oaky to very oaky, rather bitter, mineral and smoky, with some austere and citric aromas.
Impression : A rather peaty, austere, dry and fragrant version of Glen Garioch, rather intense with the wood rather present. Less peaty than the Friends of the Oak.
Rating : 14/20 FP: A2

Highland Park St Magnus Label, OB, 70 Proof, B:1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, sweet, fruity, juicy, rather maritime and mineral, on honey, some citrus, tangerine, orange, heater, and light aromatic flavours and some old wood fire and diesel smoke.
Taste: Very smooth, juicy, fresh and fruity, with some starch, bacon, heather, old bonfire ashes, a touch of spearmint and smoke ham. The finish is medium to long, sweet, sugary, juicy, fruity, slightly mineral, maritime and aromatic, on heather, some spearmint, a touch of eucalyptus, fruits from the orchards, some tangerine and a hint of leather.
Impression: A very good old fashioned Highland Park, rather mineral, with a light and fresh mineral influence and nice aromatic flavours. Rather different from the current style, light, but sweet, juicy and sugary. I really enjoy it.
Rating: 17/20 FP:D3

Hakushu Distillery Selection (Distillery Only), OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Smooth, malty to very malty, slightly floral, on vanilla, some toffee, fudge, pear drops and dry flowers.
Taste : Oaky, smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly malty, with some toffe and fudge, as well as some green apples. Diluted, it becomes smoother, on muesli, cereals, with some starch and round notes of apples and pear. The finish is medium, malty, smooth, on cereals, fruits from the orchards and some starch.
Impression : Tasted neat, it was heavier, rounder and more starchy than the 12 yo, with less fresh fruity notes, but diluted, it becomes smoother and with a different mouth feel, that I enjoyed well.
Rating : 13/20 FP: A1

Hakushu 25 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Amber
Nose : Slightly smoky, complex, smooth, mellow, on ripe and dried fruits (pear, orange, tangerine), some spices (cinnamon) and rancio. Well balanced and excellent.
Taste : Complex, rich, slightly peaty, smoky and floral, on cinnamon, some tannins, leather, ripe sweet fruity notes, a touch of dried fruits, sultanas, figs and plums. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, rich, slightly fruity and peaty, with some tannins, leather and elegant notes of ripe fruits.
Impression : A version of Hakushu with a nice sherry influence, very smooth, subtle and elegant. A different expression of Hakushu that I enjoyed very much, in a rather different flavour profile than the rest of the core range, due to the use of sherry casks. Better than I recalled and definitely worth tasting.
Rating : 17/20 FP:G2

Hakushu 12 YO, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Fresh, clean, smooth, on pear drops, some light juicy oaky notes and thin notes of toffee. Rounder and mellower than the Distiller’s Reserve.
Taste : Very smooth and fresh, with a light smokiness, on green apples and pears, a hing of toffee and starch. The finish is medium, smooth, fresh, slightly smoky and floral, on fruits from the orchards and grassy notes.
Impression : A good and fresh whisky, with the nose slightly rounder than the Distiller’s Reserve and less oaky as well.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A1

Old Fitzgerald's 1849, OB, 45% (90 Proof), B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, rich, slightly spicy (rye), on treacle, maple syrups, cereals, on cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, peach and orange.
Taste: Very Spicy, slightly soapy, rich, intense, on cooked cerals, apricots, peach, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The finish is long, very intense, smooth, rich, spicy, on cooked cereals, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, orange, tangerine, sultanas and some treacle.
Impression: A very different whiskey from the Very Very Old Fitzgerlad, very intense and fresh, with lots of cooked cerals, peach and apricot. A modern but very good Bourbon.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Very Very Old Fitzgerald,12 YO, OB, 100 Proof, B : 1960s. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Mellow, smooth to very smooth, floral, spicy, some hay, straw, dry flowers, pine, and some light peppery notes.
Taste : Very smooth, creamy, sweet, slightly zesty, on cinnamon, lemon zest, a touch of orange, some spices, spearmint and cinnamon sticks. The finish is medium to long, creamy, very smooth, rather sweet, with a slight astringency, with some zest, orange, tangerine, spearmint, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Impression : A very smooth, creamy and zesty Bourbon distilled at the legendary Stitzel-Weller operated by the Van Winkle family. Very good and rather light for a bourbon.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A1

03 May

Blanton Single Barrel, OB, 50%, B:2014, cask 293. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly creamy, on spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, orange and cooked vanilla. A rather subtle and slightly smoky Bourbon.
Taste: Very smooth, fruity, sweet, on tangerine, orange, some spices, nutmeg, oak, treacle, honey, maple syrup and cashews. The finish is medium, very smooth and mellow, oaky, slightly tannic, sweet, on orange, some tangerine, peach and cooked cereals, as well as some honey. Subtle.
Impression: An elegant, smooth and subtle, rather sweet and easy to drink, with a fair dose of oranges. Thank you Jérôme.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 2, OB, 68.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-brown
Nose: Fresh, intense, malty, with some corn, corn syrup, charred wood and lots of vanilla. Diluted, it becomes smoother and more elegant.
Taste: Fresh, intense, malty, fruity, rather dry, spicy and oaky, with some apricots and bitter oranges. Let’s quickly add some water. Diluted, it becomes very smooth, light, refreshing, with a hint of menthol, some apricots, peach, cinnamon, some nutmeg, other spices and on treacle. The finish is medium, very smooth, spicy, on cinnamon, some menthol, apricots and some other juicy and rather sweet flavours, with rye flavours.
Impression: A good and very smooth Bourbon that needs some water.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

01 May

Willett "Pot Still" decanter, OB, 43%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Rich, spicy, intense, with rather strong notes of rye, on peach, apricots, cooked cereals, treacle, orange, cinnamon and vanilla.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spirity, rather young, on corn, some rye spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, tangerine, peach and some slightly green apricots, as well as some cream. The finish is medium, rather young and oaky, slightly harsh, on rye, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, some tangerine and slightly green apricots.
Impression: The nose was very pleasant, but it taste rather young, slightly immature and rather spicy, with certain harshness. It seems like it has been bottled too young. The nose was very promising.
Rating: 09/20 FP:A1

Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof, OB, 64.5%, B: 2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, round, smooth, mellow to very mellow, on treacle, nutmeg , cinnamon, brown sugar and some corn. Smells more mellow and complex than the Single Barrel.
Taste: Clean, intense, on peach, cinnamon and maple syrup, with some nutmeg, peach, vanilla and brown sugar. The finish is short to medium, slightly spirity, clean, oaky, on maple syrup, orange and tangerine. Diluted, the finish becomes longer, more on maple syrup, with some red berries juice and a few drops of pineapple and peach.
Impression: A very good version, but rather spirity at full strength. Some water is really needed. Tasted slightly less complex than the single barrel.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Kirin Fuji-Gtoemba Small Batch 17 YO Malt, OB, 46%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, floral to very floral, with some bitter herbal flavours and light fruity notes.
Taste : Smooth, floral, very round, slightly malty and creamy, with a touch of menthol and eucalyptus, some vanilla, light notes of bananas and a few pear drops. The finish is medium, smooth, slightly floral and fragrant, with some light bitter tobacco smoke flavours, starch, vanilla, pear and banana.
Impression : A very good, smooth and elegant single malt from Fuji-Gotemba distillery. The most complex one I have tasted from this distillery, with a nice freshness. Given the low filling strength, the cask had to be carefully selected in order to reach this high abv.
Rating : 15/20 FP:A1

Kirin Fuji-Gotemba Small Batch 25 YO Grain, OB, 45%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, mellow, round, with a touch of maple syrup, sweet fruity notes, some cinnamon and light grainy notes. Elegant and close to some high quality bourbon.
Taste : Very smooth, mellow, grainy, slightly floral, on maple and corn syrup, peach, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, sweet, with some maple syrup, cooked cereals and fruits, as well as some cinnamon and nutmeg.
Impression : A very different grain whisky from the Blender’s Choice, heavier and sweeter, with more maple syrup. It taste like a mellow Bourbon whisky, without the influence of the freshly charred oak cask. Very good ! As a general remark for the Fuji-Gotemba grains, they are very done, but suprisingly low on grainy notes, very smooth and easy drinking, with a flavour profile close to a malt, that makes them rather difficul to rate, especially compared to other grain whiskies.
Rating : 14/20 FP:A1

Robert Brown, OB, 40%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Slightly smoky, very smooth, fruity, with some fresh pear and apple drops and light spicy notes.
Taste : Slightly floral, smooth, fresh, slightly smoky, on fruits from the orchards, some corn syrup and dry flowers. The finish is medium, floral, slightly spicy, smoky, grassy and rather sweet, with some vanilla and fruity notes. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more floral and smokier.
Impression : A rather different blend from the Kirin, lighter, more floral and spicier, with also some smoky notes. Smooth and with Scoth blend flavour-type.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A2

Kirin 50°, OB, 50%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, grainy, slightly floral, on peach, apricot, some corn syrup. Pleasant.
Taste : Very smooth, with some corn syrup, apple and pear juice, some banana, vanilla, peach and apricots. The finish is medium, very smooth, slightly floral, on peach, banana, apricots, corn syrup and some spices.
Impression : A very smooth whisky, rather sweet and fruity, easy to drink, less « grainy » than Scotch single grains. Sold in Japan for about 1000 yens (8 euros) for the 600 ml bottle, it is a very good value whisky.
Rating : 11/20 FP: A1

Chita Single Grain, OB, 43%, B : 2015. Price:
Colour : Pale gold
Nose : Very clean, floral, smooth, rather fragrant (roses and heather), on muesli, some light notes of apricots, peaches and coriander.
Taste : Very smooth, light, clean, on starch, coriander, and a touch of apricots. The finish is medium, slightly grainy and starchy, simple, and with some fresh and rather intense floral notes as well as some muesli.
Impression : A very smooth, clean and starchy grain whisky, but rather unidimensional.
Rating : 09/20 FP:A1

Hibiki 12 YO, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Very smooth, juicy, slightly floral, with light and fresh notes of pear drops, some gooseberries, other fruity flavours and honey.
Taste : Very smooth, rather floral, slightly fragrant, subtle, with some rose, melon, pear drops, sweet fruity notes and some honey. The finish is medium, very smooth, floral, fragrant, with some exotic wood and flowers, a hint of tobbaco leaves and smoke, as well as roses, some pears and honey.
Impression : A very smooth, elegant, floral and subtle Hibiki, with a rather sweet touch. A very enjoyable and pleasant whisky to drink. Probably the best value in the Hibiki range.
Rating : 14/20 FP:C1

Hibiki 17 YO, OB, 43%, 2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth, round, mellow, complex, on honey, roses, and some dried apricots and peaches.
Taste : Smooth, floral, rather mellow, with fresh and cooked fruits from the orchards, some goosberries, a touch of almond, jasmine, roses and a slight smokiness. The finish is medium, smooth, rather mellow, floral, subtle, elegant, with some sweet fruity notes and a hint of smoke.
Impression : A complex and mellow version of Hibiki, rounder and slightly heavier than I recall, but the quality remains. A heavier and mellower version than the 12 YO as well.
Rating : 14/20 FP: C2

Hibiki Harmony, OB, 43%, B :2015. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Smooth to very smooth, slightly oaky and grassy, rather juicy, on vanilla, honey and soft floral and exotic notes.
Taste : Slightly smoky, very smooth, with a touch of tobacco, on vanilla, some starch, light spicy-oaky notes and banana. The finish is medium, smooth, creamy, on vanilla, banana puree, rose water, with some peach, a touch of pear, melon and starch.
Impression : A new expression of Hibiki, without any age statement. The influence of white (American) oak is well present and contributes to spicy-oaky notes and vanilla.
Rating : 12/20 FP:A1

Macallan Rare Cask, OB, 43%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Sweet, rich, fruity, slightly juicy, on spices, orange, tangerine, Christmas cake, figs, sultanas, leather, some cocoa, honey and grassy notes, and a slight oakiness.
Taste: Juicy to very juicy, sweet, on sultanas, dried fruits, tangerine, orange, leather, cocoa, chocolate and some berries. The finish is medium, juicy to very juicy, sweet, rich, moderately spicy, on cocoa, chocolate, orange, tangerine, some smoke, leather, berries and on tannins. Diluted, it becomes very thin.
Impression: According the advertisement, it is made from the 1% top cask of the distillery and assembled only from first fill sherry casks. The whisky is good, pleasant and very easy to drink, very smooth and without any rubbery off notes. However, it is rather soft, slightly thin, especially once water has been added and not overly complex. US only bottling.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G2

18 Apr

Old Fettercairn 2001, 12 YO, Douglas of Drumlanrig, 57.5%, B: 2013, cask 10175. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly oaky, with loads of toffee and some vanilla.
Taste: Very oaky and floral, intense, with some hay and fragrance. Seems rather young. The finish is medium, floral, slightly spicy, bitter and nutty, with a touch of caramel. Diluted, it becomes more fragrant and bitter.
Impression: A clean, floral and slightly bitter Old Fettercairn, tasting rather young.
Rating: 10/20 FP:A1

16 Apr

Old Fettercairn 8 YO, OB, 43%, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very round, sweet and very malty, with fresh floral notes early in the summer.
Taste: Very smooth, malty to very malty, round, sweet, with light juicy and oaky notes, some spices, hay and delicate floral notes. Very good. The finish is medium, slightly nutty, floral, rather sweet and slightly juicy.
Impression: I enjoyed the simplicity of this well made, round, smooth and floral Fettercairn.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

Longmorn 1992, 21 YO, Acla Selection, 52.1%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Floral, oaky, slightly fruity and fragrant, with some sour berries and marshmallows. Rather smooth.
Taste: Fruity, rich, oaky, intense, on berries, yellow fruits, some melon and a few sour berries. The finish is medium to long, floral, fruity, with some honey, Diluted, it becomes spicier and with some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A very good, floral and fruity Longmorn, rather complex and balanced.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A1

Clynelish 1996 for the Whiskyschiff 2014, Acla Selection, 51.9%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, smooth, spicy, with some mustard seeds and vanilla. Rather close at full strength.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, slightly fruity, with some candied lemon, floral notes and some honey. The finish is medium, slightly oaky, floral, round, waxy, with some candied lemon, honey, and slight fruity notes.
Impression: A smooth Clynelish, rather lemony and some mineral influence. Good, balanced, but rather simple.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A1

Glen Garioch 1994, Exclusive Malts, 54.6%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very round, slightly aromatic, on strong toffee and fudge notes, and some fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Smooth, floral, slightly aromatic and fragrant, on toffee, fudge and some peat smoke. The finish is medium, rather smooth and floral, on toffee and fudge.
Impression: A good version of Glen Garioch, less smoky and mineral than the 1990, but also sweeter, more on toffee.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

13 Apr

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, slightly fruity and grassy, on cooked pears and some honey.
Taste: Very smooth and soft, mellow, slightly floral, rather creamy, on heather, pollen, fudge, and pears. Diluted, it becomes slightly more spicy, but also thinner. The finish is medium, slightly floral, very smooth and soft, with light spices, on toffee, pollen, some honey and pears.
Impression: A very soft and smooth version of Glenfiddich. Good, but I feel that some additional abv might have benefited to this whisky.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

Glenlivet 19 YO Dumpy, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B; 1960s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Mineral, rather aromatic, floral, on flint stone, eucalyptus, austere peat smoke, old furniture, rancio, leather and some game. A delicious sherried old style of Glenlivet.
Taste: Mineral to very mineral, on old fashioned peat smoke, rancio, old leather, tangerine, orange, old wood, humus and some mushrooms, with a touch of eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, woody, slightly astringent, mineral, on rancio, pistachio, wallnuts, tangerine, leather and flint stone.
Impression: An old fashioned style of Glenlivet, rather austere and mineral, on rancio and some woody influence. Some might find it too astringent, but definitely an old style of whisky that is becoming increasingly difficult to taste.
Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso, OB, 60.7%, B: 2015, batch OL0614. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral, slightly smoky, on a sweet sherry influence, less fruity than the guardian, and more on leather, tannins and spices.
Taste: Very round and smooth, fruity, floral, slightly spicy and smoky, with a hint of tobacco, on orange, tangerine, spices, leather, some tannins and cocoa.
Impression: Of the same quality as the Guardian, more floral, complex and spicy, but also slightly less fruity, smooth and sweet. Two variations of sherry matured Glenlivets.
Rating: 15/20 FP:G2

07 Apr

Port Charlotte, 10 YO, Islay Scotch and more, 63.0%, B: 2013, sherry hogshead 630. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, maritime, intense, rather creamy, on milk chocolate, seaweeds, sultanas, and dried fruits. Very good!
Taste: Very intense, peaty, floral, slightly fragrant, on dark chocolate, some dried fruits, high quality rubber and seaweeds. The finish is long, very peaty, smoky, maritime, on high quality rubber, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices and dark chocolate.
Impression: A very maritime Port Charlotte, with strong notes of dark chocolate. It has also some rubbery notes, but it works rather well with this whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I7

Port Charlotte PC 11, OB, 59.5%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, oaky, peaty, slightly farmy and meaty, maritime, on tangerine, some iodine, BBQ and charcoal. Getting peatier with time.
Taste: Salty to very salty, maritime to very maritime, oaky to very oaky, farmy, very intense, with some toffee, tangerine, vanilla and a touch of rubber. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, maritime, rather farmy and salty, on iodine, some disinfectant and vanilla.
Impression: A very maritime and salty version of Port Charlotte, balanced and with a rather oaky “modern” influence. Very pleasant and well matured.
Rating: 15/20 FP:D7

Port Charlotte 2004 For the Whiskyschiff, 10 YO, The First Editions, 59.2%, B:2015, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, intense, smoky, rather maritime, with a slight sweetness, some fishy and disinfectant notes.
Taste: Sweet, peaty, maritime, oaky, with some medicinal flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, rather sweet, and maritime, with some tar and ashes, and slight bitter and coriander notes.
Impression: An intense peaty Port Charlotte with some light new make-like flavours.
Rating: 13/20 FP:A6

Port Charlotte 2004, 10 YO, First Editions, 57.9%, B: 2014, 259 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Clean, peaty to very peaty, farmy, tarry, slightly maritime, on iodine, some disinfectant and spearmint.
Taste: Clean, sharp, very peaty, maritime, and intense to very intense, with some iodine and disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, very intense and peaty, clean, oaky, slightly floral and fragrant, with a touch of spearmint and on iodine.
Impression: A clean, sharp and very intense Port Charlotte. Even with water, it reminds very intense.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

Octomore 7.2 208 PPM Travel Retail, 5 YO, OB, 58.5%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Initially smooth to very smooth, on caramel, tar, ashes, peat smoke and then becoming dryer and peatier over time.
Taste: Dry, peaty, young, maritime and on vanilla and tar. The finish is medium, tarry, ashy, and maritime, on new make and camphor.
Impression: A rather young and peaty Octomore, rather one dimensional. The influence for the Syrah red wine cask is discreet.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A8

Black Bowmore 1964 Final Edition, OB, 49%. Price:
Colour: Black
Nose: Starts on strong notes of eucalyptus, slightly maritime, smoky and peaty, on cocoa and some passion fruits. Becomes smokier over time. More austere and less fruity and intense than the 2nd edition.
Taste: Intense, maritime, slightly salty, on citrus, eucalyptus, rancio, nuts, orange and tangerine, becoming fragant, bitter and rather astringent over time. The finish is long, woody, tannic, on rancio, astringent, bitter, on roasted nuts, wallnuts, cinnamon and coffee. Diluted, it becomes more tannic, woody and astringent.
Impression: Tasted head to head with the second edition, the nose has strong flavours of eucalyptus and the exotic fruits markedly less intense. On the palate, the initial delivery of exotic, smoky, salty and maritime flavours is very pleasant, but the strong woody and tannic flavours kick in quickly thereafter. Too dry and tannic to my liking. The score remains unchanged compared to last time.
Rating: 15/20 FP:J3

Spey 18 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Malty, rich, slightly floral, spicy, with some orange, leather, beeswax and some farmy flavours.
Taste: Rich, floral to very floral, smooth to very smooth, malty, nutty, slightly musty, and oaky, with some spices and light notes from the orchards and some tangerine. The finish is medium to long, smooth to very smooth, floral, slightly spicy, rich, with some sweet and juicy flavours and some tangerine.
Impression: A pleasant, smooth, rich, juicy and rather elegant whisky from the Speyside distillery.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

28 Mar

Spey Royal Choice, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Malty, slightly floral, on hops, spices, aromas from the farm and stables and some leather.
Taste: Malty, oaky, nutty to very nutty, on hops, some spices, farmy note and some orange zest. The finish is medium, rich, rather juicy, on orange, tangerine, some smoke and farmy notes.
Impression: A musty, rich and rather farmy whisky from The Speyside distillery, with rather strong nutty notes. Pretty good.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

27 Mar

Arran Sleeping Warrior 2000, OB, 54.9%, B: 2011. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round to very round, very oaky, spicy, malty, slightly floral, on strong aromas of toffee and fudge.
Taste: Floral to very floral, fresh, fruity, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and spices. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly fragrant and bitter, with some nuts and tangerine.
Impression: A rather good and rich Arran, but with a rather fragrant and bitter caramel finish. Thank you Gilles.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Black Bottle, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Rich, sweet, fruity, floral, on peat smoke, tangerine, orange, some heather, seaweeds and maritime flavours. Very good!
Taste: Very smooth, maritime, slightly grassy and floral, on banane flambée, heather, tar, honey, tangerine, milk chocolate and sea brine. The finish is medium, maritime, slightly peaty, sweet, rich, fruity, slightly tarry, on seaweeds, honey, coffee and chocolate.
Impression: This new version of Black Bottle was redesigned in order to go back to the original flavours of the Black Bottle. Compared to the previous bottling, this is a completely different whisky: the strong ex-bourbon influence is gone and replaced by rich sweet sherry notes, more intense salty notes and finally, less peaty.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E3

24 Mar

Akashi White Oak, 15 YO, OB, 58%, B:2014, 795 bottles. Price: (70cl equivalent)
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, on high grade leather, some red berries, jasmine and exotic wood. Almost silky and very pleasant.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, rather dry, on vanilla, a hint of smoke, dried fruits, some jasmine and exotic wood. The finish is medium, rather dry and floral, on dried fruits, some leather, jasmine, exotic wood and a hint of smoke. Diluted, it becomes more on dried plums and very smooth.
Impression: A nice Japanese whisky, dry when drunk neat and becoming smoother with some added water. A well made whisky.
Rating: 15/20 FP: F1

23 Mar

Hanyu 1985-2000 The Joker, OB, 57.7%, B: 2014, 3690 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Oaky, smooth, floral, slightly sugary and winey, on red berries and slight notes of other berries. Slightly unbalanced.
Taste : Spicy, winey, slightly oaky, floral to very floral, with a mixture of diverse spirits and fortified wines, strawberries and other berries. The finish is medium, floral, very winey, oaky, with some varnish, strawberries and diverse berries. Diluted, it becomes smoother.
Impression : A rather special Hanyu, with the influence of diverse fortified wines and spirits (e.g., cognac and madeira) creating some unbalance. If you like winey whiskies, you might enjoy this one, but this was not really my cup of tea. I prefer the Hanyu “naked” (i.e. matured only in 1 single type of cask). The last of the “Card” serie.
Rating : 13/20 FP:E1

22 Mar

Ledaig 10 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, maritime and tarry, ashy, on charcoal, BBQ, lots of seaweeds, some hemp rope and iodine. Very intense.
Taste: Smooth, slightly sweet, oaky, very peaty and maritime, some salt, seaweeds, iodine, vanilla and tar, with a hint of gentian. The finish is medium to long, maritime, very peaty, with some gentian, on tar, seaweeds, iodine and charcoal.
Impression: A very good, intense, well-made and very peaty Ledaig that could be easily taken for an Islay whisky from the Kildalton shore.
Rating: 15/20 FP: A7

21 Mar

Ledaig 1972, 42 YO, OB, advanced sample, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, silky, on old fashioned dry and mineral sherry influence, leather of the highest quality, some delicate and complex peat smoke and a touch of seaweeds and seaspray. Excellent. Becomes smokier over time.
Taste: Extremely smooth, silky, slightly smoky and peaty, gliding over the throat, with light rubbery notes, high grade leather, some seaweeds, a touch of salt and sea pray, tannins, game and bloody oranges. The finish is medium to long, slightly rubbery, on tannins, leather and some game, oranges, tangerine, some dry and mineral sherry notes, as well as some dried seaweeds and old diesel smoke.
Impression: A very smooth, silky and subtle Ledaig, with a delicious old fashioned dry sherry influence combined with some old fashioned mineral peat smoke that is rather intense considering over 40 years of maturation in the cask. The tannins in the finish are rather well contained, but present. Excellent. Sample of the final whisky before bottling.
Rating: (advanced sample) FP: H2

20 Mar

Yamazaki 1994 Owner’s Cask for Bar K6, OB, 59.0%, B: 2009, cask 4R70414. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very floral and smooth, rich, slightly fruity, on leather, with some lacquer and varnish. The floral notes are complex and very intense.
Taste: Very floral, sweet and smooth, with light spices, light and elegant, with some honey and light fruity notes. The finish is medium, very floral, rather fragrant, and slightly bitter, with some tannins, Mirabelle and varnish.
Impression: A very floral, smooth and elegant Yamazaki, elegant and subtle.
Rating: 16/20FP: E1

Karuizawa 1991, OB, 62.5%, B: 2007, cask 3318. Price:
Colour : Old gold-amber
Nose : Very smooth, smoky, fragrant, intense, slightly earthy and on almonds. Rather floral.
Taste : Intense, hot, spicy to very spicy, spirit, clean to very clean, slightly creamy and earthy, on vanilla and floral notes. The finish is medium, round to very round, creamy, rather hot and spirit, floral, slightly earthy and with some butter.
Impression : A young, rather hot and spirity Karuiazawa. The youngest Karuizawa I have tasted so far. Good, but not as complex as older bottlings. Thank you Nicolas
Rating : 11/20 FP:E1

Nikka Coffey Malt, OB, 45%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, round, malty, with some cooked cereals, light notes of peach and some floral notes. Drier than the Grain version,
Taste: Floral to very floral, malty, on cinnamon and a touch of lemon. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, on cinnamon and a lemon twist.
Impression: A simpler and dryier version of the Grain version.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

15 Mar

Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 YO, OB, 43%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, sweet and floral, with some exotic wood, cooked apples, rice cake, a touch on incense, peach drops, a slight smokiness and sweet fruity flavours. Subtle.
Taste: Salty, spicy to very spicy, very smooth, mellow, elegant, slightly maritime, on exotic woods, fruits from the orchards, tangerine, some orange and rice cake. The finish is medium to long, very smooth, mellow, sweet, fruity, floral, on tangerine, with some exotic wood, red berries, humus, smoke and tropical fruits, as well as some sea brine.
Impression: A very good, subtle and elegant pure malt whisky, with a hint of smoke and nice smooth sherry influence. Very well made. Available in very limited quantities in Europe. Thank you Jerome.
Rating: 17/20 FP:F2

14 Mar

Nikka Coffey Grain, OB, 45% B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Grainy, very smooth, round, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots and cinnamon. Close to some American bourbon.
Taste: Very smooth, on cooked cereals, peach, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, other spices and fudge. The finish is medium, very smooth, round, on cooked apricots and peach, with some cinnamon, nutmeg and fudge.
Impression: A very smooth, round, grainy and slighty floral whisky than run down the mouth very pleasantly, with some fudge flavours.
Rating: 14/20 FP:B1

13 Mar

Nikka 40 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, smooth, mellow, on cooked fruits, some peat smoke, slight notes of cooked cereals, on cedar wood, spices, tropical fruits, including mango and some bananas. Tasted head to head with the Takesturu 25 YO, the 25 YO seems rather thin compared to the 40 YO. A tour de force.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, on exotic woods, tropical fruits, incense, some sea brine, apricots, peaches, cooked cereals, chocolate, a hint of treacle, with the flavours of banana, tangerine and orange becoming stronger over time, and some eucalyptus as well. Very complex. The finish is long to very long, very smooth, mellow, rich, intense, elegant, complex, with some fruits from the orchards and spices, on peat smoke, peach, apricots, banana and other tropical fruits, as well as some eucalyptus and exotic wood. Diluted, the influence of the grain becomes stronger.
Impression: An impressive blended whisky, made with a cask of Miyagikyo 1969 and Yoichi 1945. The whisky is very complex, very smooth and mellow, with surprising flavour intensity, on tropical fruits and some peat smoke. That is probably the most expensive sample I purchased so far, but I do not regret since the result is excellent.
Rating: 19/20 FP:G3

Talisker 14.1 1976, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 64.5%, B: 1994. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very intense, peaty, salty to very salty, peppery, maritime, with some diesel smoke, green olives and a slightly sweetness.
Taste: Satly, peppery to very peppery, intense, spicy, peaty, rather oily, with a slight sweetness, some olives, diesel smoke, kippers, wood smoke, as well as some disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, slightly sweet, oily, with some olives, salt, seaweeds, pepper and diesel smoke, and slight notes of disinfectant.
Impression: A very intense, rather oily Talisker, slightly young, but very enjoyable. The first bottling of Talisker by the SMWS.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A4

Talisker 1957, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s, 80 Proof, B:1978. Price:
Colour: Dark Amber
Nose: Very close to the 20 YO, with maybe a touch of rubber and some faint notes of varnish.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, slightly fragrant and floral, with a hint of varnish, diverse spices (cumin, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves), on polished wood, some peat smoke, high quality rubber and some seaweeds. Very smooth. The finish is long, fragrant, bitter, rather astringent, on rubber, varnish, cough syrup, orange, leather, tannins, clove and some seaweeds.
Impression: The nose is very close to the 20 YO version, but then the rubber, varnish and fragrance become very loud, with strong notes of cough syrup on the palate. Very good, but this is not really a whisky for me. I enjoyed its slightly younger sibling much better.
Rating: 16/20 FP:J2

Yoichi 12 YO Woody and Vanillic Distillery only, OB, 55%. B:2015. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, floral, fragrant, on apricots, some peach, exotic wood and vanilla. Surprisingly close to a grain whisky.
Taste: Smooth, slightly spirity, very floral and fragrant, malty, clean, intense, slightly spicy, on vanilla and some apricots. The finish is medium, very smooth, floral and fragrant, as well as some vanilla. Diluted, it becomes even more fragrant and floral, and slightly bitter.
Impression: A very smooth, clean and fragrant Yoichi, rather different from all Yoichi that I have tasted so far. I appreciated this smoothness very well, but it found it slightly too fragrant to my liking.
Rating: 11/20 FP:A1

Yoichi 1991, OB, 63%. B: 2011, cask 129651. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, tarry, smoky, on bold peat smoke, humus, leather, slightly mineral and a nice sweet sherry influence. Over time, there are strong notes of honeycomb developing. Very good.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, slightly maritime and salty, on honey, exotic wood, sweet fruity notes, some Christmas cake, tangerine, orange and dried fruits, as well some peat smoke. Complex. The finish is medium to long, round to very round, waxy, complex, on honeycomb, some toffee, humus, peat smoke, leather and tannins, as well as some sweet fruity notes.
Impression: A very well made Yoichi, elegant, intense, spicy and rather maritime, with a pleasant sweet sherry influence.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Yoichi 20 YO Single Cask Distillery Only, OB, 60%, c.100126. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, smooth, round, floral, on sweet sherry and some spices as well.
Taste: Very smooth, slightly salty, spicy, with some sweet fruity notes and treacle, as well as some peach, pineapples and a light smokiness. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, tannic and syrupy, with some treacle, honey comb, peach and light notes of pineapple, leather and peat smoke.
Impression: A very good smoky and intense Yoichi, but with some light woodiness on the finish.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F2

Yoichi 1980s Distillery Only, OB, 53%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very complex and rich, intense, waxy, on humus, old bold peat smoke, some seaweeds, seabrine, tangerine, orange and honey comb, as well as a touch of soybean. Excellent.
Taste: Salty, spicy, intense, complex, on humus, sultanas, some mushrooms, sea brine and seaweeds, light tarry and ashy notes, as well as some cinnamon, orange and tangerine. Smooth and mellow, with some bold peat smoke. The finish is long, with some tannins, leather, spices (incense, cinnamon and some nutmeg) and peat smoke, on ripe and sweet fruits (orange, tangerine) and a light and delicate peat smoke, as well as with some humus.
Impression: An excellent very old, rich, intense and complex Yoichi, combining some peat smoke together with some sherry sweetness.
Rating: 17/20 FP:E2

Yoichi 1990s Distillery Only, OB, 55%, B:2015. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, with some exotic wood, sweet fruity notes of tangerine, some red berries, leather, dried fruits, a hint of peat smoke and banana. Complex.
Taste: Rather smooth, spicy, sweet, fruity, on tangerine, orange, some leather, cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, some dried and candied fruits, as well as a hint of smoke and rubber. Rather complex. The finish is medium to long, floral, on soft spices, cinnamon, some exotic wood, leather and beeswax, as well as sweet fruity notes of orange and tangerine. Diluted, it becomes slightly bitter
Impression: A very nice, smooth, sweet and sherried Yoichi, with just a hint of smoke. Although it is above 50%, it is easy to drink, since it is particularly sweet and smooth single malt.
Rating: 15/20 FP:F1

Yoichi 2000s Distillery Only, OB, 57%, B:2015. Price: (for 50 cl)
Colour: Gold
Nose: Waxy, fresh, fruity, on freshly pressed fruits from the orchards, some maritime and tarry peat smoke, vanilla and melon.
Taste: Round, waxy, rather chewy, fresh, zesty, oaky, with some drops of apples and pear, on vanilla, some melon, a hint of smoke and tobacco leaves. The finish is medium to long, round, waxy, creamy, on vanilla, a hint of smoke, some yellow fruits and apple drops.
Impression: This might not be the most complex Yoichi, but I really enjoyed the mouth feel, rather waxy and with honey comb and the whisky rolling down smoothly over your palate. Fresh and well made.
Rating: 15/20 FP:A2

Brora 1972 Platinum, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 59.5%, B :2002, 240 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Extremely peaty, dry to very dry, tarry, sooty, farmy, slightly fragrant aromatic and very strong notes of roots. Very intense. Diluted it becomes rather medicinal and on disinfectant.
Taste : Extremely dry and peaty, very tarry and ashy, on soot, roots, some fragrance and gentian. The finish is extremely long and peaty, very dry and ashy, farmy, on soot and a complex peat smoke.
Impression : An impressive Brora with an explosion of dry peat smoke and rooty notes. We have the impression of inhaling and drinking peat smoke. It might be rough for some, but I loved this one. Never tasted a whisky of that age with some much peat.
Rating : 20/20 FP:A9

Brora 1972 Platinum, 29 YO, Douglas Laing, 51%, B :2002, 228 bottles. Price:
Colour : Old gold
Nose : Peaty, rather juicy, grassy and austere, slightly farmy, on old tobacco ashes, humus, some tangerine and a hint of bitter orange. Very different from the 59.5%.
Taste : Rather smooth and mellow, peaty, rather aromatic, maritime and fruity, on melon, peach, sea brine, some tangerine and farmy notes of stables, with some tar and ashes on the background. The finish is long, dry, peaty, slightly woody and maritime, with some tar, on old tobacco ashes, soot and peat smoke.
Impression : A much milder version than the 59.5%, less peaty and with some woodiness. It is an excellent whisky, but the 59.5% was more to my liking.
Rating : 18/20 FP:C6

27 Feb

Brora 35 YO Special Releases 2014, OB, 48.6%, B:2014, 2964 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very sweet, smooth, and extremely fruity, with loads of watermelon, on melon, some tangerine and peach, with a slight smokiness at the end. Over time, the fruitiness slightly dissipates and it becomes more mineral.
Taste: Citric, salty, slightly farmy and maritime, rather spicy, on tobacco leaves and some watermelon and peat smoke. The finish is medium, rather salty, on watermelon, melon, with some grapefruits, smoke and spices.
Impression: A suprisingly fruity and smooth whisky. This Brora is rather maritime and surprises by its sweetness. It is markedly less farmy and peaty than the previous versions, but also more elegant. Some might find this one easier than the previous bottlings, while some might be slightly disappointed if they were looking for a rather epxressive (peaty and farmy) Brora. Thank you Jérôme.
Rating: 17/20 FP:B3

Clynelish 12 YO Short Cap, OB, 56.9%, B: 1960s. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Waxy, mineral, clean, sharp, rather mineral, with some mineral oil, on mirabelle, some quince and melon. Rather smoky and slightly peaty. Very good.
Taste: Very intense, smoky, slightly peaty, sharp, peppery, with mustard seeds and sea brine. Becomes more mineral, austere and smoky over time, with some mirabelle flavours. The finish is long to very long, intense, deliciously mineral and waxy, with some slightly peaty and austere smoke, some melon, fresh fruits, flint stone and sea brine, as well as some pepper.
Impression: A delicious old style of Brora, mineral, intense and peppery, with a most pleasant smokiness.
Rating: 19/20 FPA2

Clynelish 1965, 28 YO, Whyte and Whyte, 50.7%, B:2004. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Round, waxy, fruity, on fruits from the orchards, melon, some mirabelle and watermelon, with a slight smokiness. Slightly smooth.
Taste: Intense, peppery, rather waxy, slightly oaky, with a touch of citrus and old mineral peat smoke, on watermelon, some melon, light fresh fruity notes and some mineral oil. Rather smooth and complex. Over times, it becomes on strong honey and honey comb notes. The finish is medium to long, slightly oaky and mineral, with a touch of sea brine, light mineral and smoky notes, on honey and with some water melon and melon. Diluted, it becomes fresher and slighty winey.
Impression: A rather smooth version of Clynelish that keeps chaning over time, moving from a slightly dry oaky profile to a sugary-honey one. Very good and rather different from the offical 12 YO versions.
Rating: 18/20 FP:B2

Tomatin Cuatro Pedro Ximenez, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, sweet, on dark fruits, sultanas, some treacle and tangerine. Slightly sweeter and more on sultanas than the Oloroso.
Taste: Intense, spicy, sweet, on orange, sultanas, tangerine, some cinnamon and Christmas cake. The finish is medium, sweet, slightly vegetal and grassy, with some cinnamon, a touch of cloves and rubber, as well as some oranges
Impression: A version slightly different from the Oloroso, but slightly thicker and sweeter.
Rating: 13/20 FP:G1

Tomatin Cuatro Manzanilla, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Dry, oaky, slightly acetic and with some vegetal condiment. Slightly less mineral and dryier than the fino.
Taste: Oaky, rich, intense, slightly mineral, with a hint of grapefruit. Elegant and very enjoyable. The finish is medium to long and on the same flavours.
Impression: Quite different from the others, but I enjoyed its mineral side and its intensity.
Rating: 13/20 FP:D1

22 Feb

Tomatin Cuatro Fino, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Oaky, rather clean, floral, slightly acetic, vegetal, including some vegetal condiment. It becomes drier, more on fino over time. It needs some time to breathe.
Taste: Grassy, initially sweet, becomes slightly drier and more mineral over time, with nice spices, some vegetal condiments and vegetamine, with light rubbery notes and white wine. The finish is medium to long, grassy, slightly dry, on white wine and some acetic flavours.
Impression: A nice grassy Tomatin, on acetic, white wine and a vegetal influence.
Rating: 13/20 FP:C1

Tomatin Cuatro Oloroso, 12 YO, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, oaky, rather sweet, floral, on sultanas, some tangerine and a hint of orange.
Taste: Grassy, rather sweet, on dates, sultanas, orange, tangerine, some spices and light oaky notes. The finish is medium, slightly rubbery, floral and fragrant, on leather, some salty notes, a hint of citrus, orange, tangerine and vegetal condiment.
Impression: A rather peculiar Tomatin, with a mixture of rubbery and vegetal condiment influence. Not the most balanced Tomatin.
Rating: 11/20 FP:F1

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 3, OB, 54.9%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, rather floral, on berries, tangerine, orange, leather, cinnamon and on spices.
Taste: Sweet, floral, spicy to very spicy, oaky, intense to very intense, on Christmas cake, sultanas, candied oranges and light fruity notes. The finish is medium, sweet, fruity, oaky to very oaky, spicy to very spicy, slightly young and rough, on Christmas cake and spices.
Impression: A good GlenDronach, tasting rather young and with a lighter sherry influence than I recalled from the previous batches.
Rating: 13/20 FP:G1

12 Feb

Glenmorangie 1963, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rich and fruity, sweet, intense, with some humus, a light smokiness, on tangerine, orange and some spices, as well as light mineral and coastal notes.
Taste: Very sweet and rich, fruity, mineral, juicy, with some peat smoke, tangerine, spices, some leather and humus. Very complex. The finish is medium, very rich and complex, sweet, juicy, mineral, with some peat smoke, tangerine, orange and other fruity notes.
Impression: A deliciously sweet, fruity, mineral and rather peaty Glenmorangie, Complex. I wished the finish was longer, since this whisky was so good. By favourite Glenmorangie so far. Tasted at Le bar du nord in Carouge CH).
Rating: 17/20 FP:F3

Old Pulteney 1990, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Juicy, oaky, slightly smoky, salty, maritime and peaty.
Taste: Salty, maritime, oaky, juicy, on peat smoke, some ashes, charcoal, coconut and sea spray. The finish is medium, oaky, slightly bitter, salty, on wet tobacco leaves, seaweeds, vanilla, some peat smoke, charcoal as well as some floral and fragrant notes.
Impression: This is a special Old Pulteney matured in ex-Islay whisky casks giving a certain peat smoke influence over a rather oaky and juicy body. The results is correct, but I prefer the “naked” ones.
Rating: 12/20 FP:B2

07 Feb

Singleton of Dufftown 15 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Fresh, smooth, very floral, with some fragrance, vanilla and straw.
Taste: Fresh, smooth, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, on vanilla and honey. The finish is medium, smooth, very floral, with some straw and honey.
Impression: A smooth Singleton, on honey and more subtle and elegant than the 12 YO.
Rating: 13/20 FP:B1

06 Feb

Singleton Dufftown Speycascade, OB, 40%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky to very oaky, modern, with lots of vanilla, some floral notes and a touch of heather.
Taste: Smooth, floral to very floral, oaky, on vanilla, some nuts and light spicy notes. The finish is medium, smooth, oaky to very oaky, with lots of vanilla.
Impression: A floral Dufftown with a strong vanilla flavours. The sherry influence is very light.
Rating: 11/20 FP:B1

Singleton Dufftown Tailfire, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Oaky, very spicy, slightly nutty, syrupy, rather winey and on sultanas.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, slightly nutty, with some orange and tangerine, light notes of cinnamon and on honey. The finish is medium, nutty, floral, spicy, on honey and some cinnamon.
Impression: A good Dufftown, less nutty than the sunray but also slightly fruitier. Matured in a combination of American and European oak.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E1